Doniphan West USD 111

HS KAY members assembled and filled 170 senior boxes today at Second Harvest in St. Joseph. The agency is an essential part of our community supplying backpack buddies (weekend food items) at the elementary school, summer lunches through their No Hunger Summer program, and mobile food pantries in our county.

Doniphan West is Blessed With the Best! Today is Paraprofessional Day. We would like to thank these ladies for a job well done! You truly make a difference with our students.

Check out Myleigh Harrell's Senior Spotlight!

In celebration of Youth Art Month, the Kansas Art Education Association hosted an exhibit at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library from February 25th to March 29th. Each school in Kansas was invited to display one piece of artwork to represent their school. This year, Peyton Nichols’ “Last Supper” drawing was chosen for Doniphan West Elementary School. The first Youth Art Month celebration was started in 1969 by the Council for Art Education to advocate for visual art education. The event emphasized the value of students participating in the visual arts. Youth Art Month is celebrated across the nation with art contests, exhibits, and special activities. KAEA partnered with The Alice Sabatini Art Gallery, BLICK Art Materials and others and will award students scholarships, cash awards, and other prizes. At the celebration/reception for student artists, their families, and educators, Saturday, March 29th, Peyton was awarded the prize for 3rd place in the elementary category! As a prize, Peyton and her art teacher, Rachel Gibson, both received a lovely prize package including a variety of art supplies! Peyton’s artist statement: “For this project, we studied Leonardo Da Vinci and his painting, “The Last Supper.” I drew a picture of my family members at my last supper. I also put my favorite foods, and my favorite pets. To make this picture, I used a pencil to draw it, a pen to trace my lines, and colored pencils to color it. I also made a shadow with a blending stump. I signed my name in Da Vinci “code” to complete my picture.” Peyton is a 5th Grader at Doniphan West Elementary.

HS Track at Falls City, 5/1 Girls - 1st Place Boys -1st Place #MustangPride https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/595310/results/all

Doniphan West HS Softball vs Onaga Game One W 9-1 Game Two L 3-5 #MustangPride

Doniphan West Elementary students earn attendance awards. Great job Mustangs!

HS Baseball vs Onaga, 3/31 Game 1: 5-1 Game 2: 13-8 #MustangPride

The February 2025 Mustang Musicians of the Month! Kindergarten Alex Weiland Alex is a great student who works hard to listen, follow directions, and get things done. He does a great job with his warm-ups and singing his songs. 1st Grade Graham Christopher Graham has done an incredible job this year. During class, he pays attention and uses good eye contact when directions are being given. He has done a great job at working hard and getting work done on time. 2nd Grade Karson Miner Karson takes great pride in all he does. Whether it is math, reading, music, art, or technology, he wants to do his absolute best. He is a kind friend who is always there when needed. He is a great role model who is respectful to adults and consistently makes good choices. 3rd Grade Emma Peters Emma is new to Doniphan West this year and has done an amazing job fitting in. She is a polite student who works hard to get what she needs done. 4th Grade Aiden Nuzum Aiden is a great student who is always smiling and in a good mood. He has been working extra hard this year. He always follows directions and listens well. He has worked very hard to learn his songs and does an amazing job with matching pitch and naming notes on the Treble Clef. 5th Grade Henley Fuhrman Henley is a great student who goes above and beyond in class. She works hard on all assignments and any work she is given. She does a great job of ensuring everything is turned in on time and takes great care to ensure things are done correctly. She always does more than is asked. 5th Grade Band Koder Saunders Koder puts in a lot of effort towards learning the trumpet. He is a great student who sits quietly and listens with the intent to learn. He has been doing an amazing job in band. 6th Grade Kamryn Heinrich Kamryn is a hard worker in class and does her best to make good choices. She is good at listening and getting her work done. 6th Grade Band Zeke Ruhnke Zeke is very good at percussion. He works hard to figure out his parts and at times, helps others figure out their parts. He has come a long way this year and continues to improve. Junior High Band Brenna Neibling Brenna is a hard worker. Every day, she does her best to improve her ability. She is a great student. Her abilities were showcased in a recent concert on the song, “Attack of the Zombie Trombones.” Grace Winters Grace has been working very hard this year to improve her playing. She puts in extra time to improve her playing and deserves to be recognized for her hard work. She is quickly becoming a great clarinet player. High School Band Lydia Keebler Lydia consistently works hard to learn her parts and to improve. She is willing to take on any part needed to better the band. She pays attention, focuses, and listens closely to help work out harmony parts in her section. 7th-12th Choir Laela Idol Laela has stepped up as a strong Alto. She works hard to learn the songs we are working on, and sounds great on her part. She consistently stays focused and always does what is asked. Congratulations and thank you for your hard work!!!

Dear Doniphan West Elementary School Families, Exciting news! We are partnering with Books Are Fun and their Book Blast program to help build our students’ home libraries. For over 30 years, Books are Fun has been a trusted partner in promoting literacy. Today, our students learned about the Book Blast Program and the importance of having their own books at home. Tonight, we are asking you to take 7 minutes to support our Student Home Library initiative. Click Here: https://app.booksarefun.com/DoniphanWestES66017 Here are the steps: 1. Click the link above. 2. Register your student(s). 3. Send invitations to at least 10 friends or family members to support our students (Don’t worry, all the information you provide is secure and only used for this program.) 4. Need help registering? Watch this short step by step video: https://www.bb.booksarefun.com/how-to-complete Win a trip to Disney! Our school has been selected for an incredible opportunity! For every supporter who clicks your student’s contribution link during Book Blast, you’ll earn one entry for a chance to win a trip to Disney! For example, if five different people click the link, your family gets five entries into the drawing! *Pro Tip: After sending invitations, follow up with a phone call to make sure they received the message. Why I love this program: · It’s guaranteed to put new, age-appropriate books into the hands of every student! · 100% of all contributions go toward new books and classroom supplies. · The book list is fantastic! It’s attached, check it out. · It will take you less than 10 minutes and there is NO financial requirement from you. More books in your homes equals more pages being read! That’s the goal. We’re hoping for 100% participation. Want to see Book Blast in action? Watch this news clip from Fulton Elementary: Fulton Elementary News Clip Thank you for helping our school and community.

Capturing the vibrant energy of KAY Club’s Thrift Shop Fashion Show, this collection of photos showcases a lively fusion of fun, laughter, and style. Several styles were selected from our Mustang Closet. Congrats to Hayden for being most creative, Dixie for best spender, and overall winner Kelby! (Mrs. Taylor was a close second in two categories)

The elementary students enjoyed watching the SpongeBob Musical at HCC today.

This week, students enjoyed a visit BlueScope Industries yesterday in St. Joseph, MO to learn about potential career opportunities after high school. Students also had the opportunity to use a welding simulator. James Studie took first place for having the best simulated weld!

HS Baseball vs. Blue Valley, 3/27 Game 1: 18-3 Game 2: cancelled, due to weather #MustangPride

HS Softball vs. Blue Valley, 3/27 Game 1: 15-0 Game 2: 26-12 #MustangPride

Doniphan West Weekly Activities Schedule for March 31st. https://tinyurl.com/DWestActivitiesScheduleMarch31

Update: Tree limbs caused fuses to blow at the power line on the east end of the playground. Evergy is on their way to fix the issue. Hopefully we will be up and running with electricity soon. The students are actually enjoying not having power.

The power is out at the elementary school due to a downed line. All students are safe, and learning is continuing as planned. Buses will run at their normal times. Phone lines at the elementary school are also down. If you need assistance, please call the high school at 785-442-3286, and we will relay messages to the elementary staff.

The BOOK BLAST program by Books Are Fun kicks off on April 1st! Students will receive all the details that day. Ask your students if they remember last year’s prizes—three individual rewards for submitting 10 emails, treasure chests for four students, an iPad, and free books for everyone at the end. This year’s prizes are different, and the staff can’t wait to see the excitement on the students' faces!

These donations are very much appreciated. If you would like to donate beef, contact Anna Midyette, Food Service Director, amidyette@usd111.org or 785-359-6526. Animals have to be transported to Diamond C Foods near Atchison. Donors receive a family pass to USD111 events, and documentation that could be used as a tax write-off.